Iran announces sanctions on several figures, entities in US, UK

The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced sanctions on several figures and entities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Issuing two separate statements on May 2 morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that the country has sanctioned several figures and entities in the United States and the United Kingdom, according to Mehr News Agency.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in conformity with the "Law on Countering the Violation of Human Rights and Adventurous and Terrorist Activities of the United States in the Region" (2017), particularly, Articles 4 and 5, identifies and imposes sanctions as set forth in the abovementioned Act on the following persons and institutions in connection with their support and financing of Zionist regime of Israel’s terrorist acts, glorification and supporting terrorism and gross violations of human rights against the Palestinian people, and in particular, people of Gaza Strip: 

The following institutions will be placed under sanctions for supporting and complicity in the Israeli regime’s heinous acts against the Palestinians especially in the Gaza Strip:

-The Lockheed Martin Corporation, due to its involvement in supplying weaponry to Israeli regime; 

- The General Dynamics due to supplying 155 mm bullet to Israeli regime;  

- The Skydio Engineering Company, due to provision of drones to the Israeli regime; 

- The Chevron Corporation due to assisting the Israeli regime in exploitation of Gas wells in the eastern Mediterranean. The revenue from this exploitation is being used by the regime to launch an offensive against the Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip; 

- The Kharon Company, due to its role in sanctioning Hamas by the United States Department of Treasury and its endeavor to cut off Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s access to the network for transfer of crypto currency under pretext of money laundering.

The following individuals will be placed under sanctions for supporting and complicity in the Israeli regime’s heinous acts against the Palestinians especially in the Gaza Strip:

-    Jason Greenblatt: The executive vice president and chief legal officer to Donald Trump and the Trump Organization and his advisor on Israel;

-    Michael Rubin: A senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute;

-    Jason Brodsky: The policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI);

-    Clifford D. May: The founder and president of FDD; 

-    Bryan P. Fenton: A United States Army general who serves as the 13th commander of the United States Special Operations Command; 

-    Brad Cooper: Commander, US Naval Forces Central Command/ FIFTH Fleet;

-    Gregory J. Hayes: CEO of RTX Corporation. 

In view of the above-mentioned, the Islamic Republic of Iran in conformity with its human rights obligations and obligations in combating terrorism and countering terrorism financing, in particular, terrorism perpetrated by the United States, imposes sanctions on the listed persons and institutions.

In the light of the above-mentioned and considering the provisions of the “Act on Countering Violations of Human Rights and Adventurist and Terrorist Actions of the United States of America in the Region”, all relevant national authorities will take appropriate measures for effective implementation of the sanctions stipulated in the Act. 

In line with the implementation of the "Law on Countering the Hostile Activities of the Zionist Regime against Peace and Security", ratified by the Iranian Parliament on May 20, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following the approvals of related authorities and in the framework of relevant regulations and sanctions mechanisms and on a reciprocal basis, stipulates the following individuals and entities of the UK regime in its sanction list for deliberate support and facilitation of the Israel Zionist regime’s actions, including committing terrorist acts against regional and international peace and security, systematic violation of human rights, warmongering, use of heavy weaponry  and prohibited weapons against civilian, blocked, displacement of the Palestinian  people, expansion of illegal settlement  in occupied territory and continuation of occupation: 

Entities: 

•  RAF Akrotiri Royal Air force in Cyprus
•  UK Royal Navy in Red Sea HMC Diamond
•  Elbit system Company     
•  Parker Meggitt Company 
•  UK Rafael Company     

Individuals:

•  Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defense of the United Kingdom 
•  James Hockenhull, Commander of the British Army Strategic Command  
•  Sharon Nesmith, Deputy Chief of the General Staff
•  Paul Raymond Griffiths, Assistant Chief of the General Staff
•  Adrian Bird, Director of Defense Intelligence of British Army    
•  Richard Kemp, Commander of UK Royal Navy in Red Sea HMC Richmond                      
•  Simon Cloke, Commander of RAF Akrotiri Royal Air Force 
•  Peter Ivans, Commander of UK Royal Navy in Red Sea HMC Diamond 

The Islamic Republic of Iran meanwhile condemns the act of the UK regime for supporting, facilitating and refraining from countering the destructive acts of aforementioned individuals and entities which is violation of international obligations of the UK regime regarding combatting terrorism, announces that the acts of those in supporting and facilitating terrorist acts is obvious violation of fundamental principles of international law set forth in the United Nations Charter.   

All relevant national institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, consistent with the regulations adopted by the related authorities, will take appropriate measures, which are blocking of accounts and transactions in the Iranian financial and banking systems, blocking of assets within the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as prohibition of visa issuance and entry to the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, for effective implementation of the above-mentioned sanctions.

Obviously, the sanctions do not exempt persons from prosecution for their involvement in criminal activities at competent courts. 

While imposing the sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran holds the British government responsible and accountable for supporting terrorism and violation of human rights.